Clear Skies
By: Ceara Jade
I twisted my hair into a ponytail, tucking it under my cap and lowering the brim. Then I took a final look around the room full of strangers, wondering which of them would help me escape, and which would try to kill me.
The sneering faces made my stomach churn. Demon like eyes glared at me, confirming that I was on my own. No one wanted to help me. For some reason though I still had faith in humanity, and kept trying to convince myself that someone, just one person, would reach out. Save me. Just one. A heavy hand landed on my shoulder, and I smiled thanking my lucky stars. I turned my head to see who owned it, but I didn’t find a person, there was only a fist. It smashed into my face, I flew hard to the ground, and everything went black.
I jolted upright. My episode of micro sleep had thrust me into a short nightmare that was frighteningly close to my reality. The jet hit more turbulence and my body jerked again. A soft yelp escaped my throat.
“You okay,” Liam asked rubbing my back. He pressed our foreheads together, “Gemma,” he wanted an answer. I nodded, but my head was still throbbing. I leaned against him and let out a sigh. I wasn’t okay. I was going insane. The threat to our entire existence was still out there. He knew our moves, knew where we’d run, everything. He could destroy it all in an instant.
THREE WEEKS EARLIER:
I pressed my face against the cool metal door. This was going to be cake. Facile. I turned the dial slowly, exhaling harshly after the first loud click. The power I felt was overwhelming. This was my chance to prove my worth. The clicks from behind the safe door were like sweet music, echoing throughout my entire body.
The final click brought a smile to my face. Thank god some people weren’t up to date with their technology.
“Clear skies, boys,” I announced, over my shoulder to my brother Vince and his buddies. The steel casino safe door began to retract and I stepped back reveling in my success. My stare traveled from the giant safe to see Liam’s reaction. As always his expression was unreadable. Liam you tease.
“Great job sis,” Vince said gripping my shoulders from behind. I reluctantly tore my gaze away from his best friend and turned to my brother. He stepped around me and over the safe’s threshold.
“Let’s do this,” Vince called out rubbing his hands together.
This was only the second time Vince had let me actually participate. The other times I’d be the lookout, or drive the getaway car. Sometimes he’d even let me partake in the planning process. Nothing else though it was “too dangerous.” See, we deal in upscale heists. We aren’t like your average run-of-the-mill burglars. There’re no ski masks or black jumpsuits. Don’t get me wrong we’re not snobs. We just have class, sophistication. We’re what the public might refer to as white-collar criminals. We’re skilled, thorough, experienced. I mean I’m only 18 and I can crack a casino safe in less than ten minutes. This was our profession.
“Gem, come on.” Liam urged me forward pressing a hand against the small of my back. The warmth of his hand sent a jolt of electricity through my veins. My face grew hot. I bent down and grabbed my duffel, Liam walked ahead of me while I slung the bag over my right shoulder.
I hopped quickly into the safe and was hit with a rush of cool air, my face still burned though. Pathetic. I rolled my eyes. Get a grip Gemma.
Vince was barking out directions as usual, we only had about 5 - make that 4 - minutes to load the duffels and get the heck outta there.
A loud crash came from out of nowhere and we all froze in our tracks. Spencer had been messing with some of the art sculptures, and knocked one over. He and Brody started chuckling, trying to get the sculpture vertical, and Vince shouted at them to get to work. I shook my head and looked down at my watch, the seconds were flying by.
